WASHINGTON -- Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) on Tuesday declined to say whether he would campaign with Richard Mourdock, the Tea Party-backed candidate who ousted the 36-year Senate veteran in the GOP primary earlier this month.

"I have no comment," Lugar said when asked by The Huffington Post.

Lawmakers in both parties have lamented the loss of Lugar, who is seen as one of few Republicans left in the Senate capable of working in a bipartisan way. Even President Barack Obama issued a statement praising Lugar's record.

"As a friend and former colleague, I want to express my deep appreciation for Dick Lugar's distinguished service in the United States Senate," Obama said in a statement on May 9. "While Dick and I didn't always agree on everything, I found during my time in the Senate that he was often willing to reach across the aisle and get things done."